For Vikings' Chase Ford, Miami game a homecoming

Teddy Bridgewater headlines the Vikings' homecoming crew, but that does not necessarily make the quarterback more popular in Miami than cornerback Xavier Rhodes or tight end Chase Ford.

Rhodes, a Miamian, and Ford, a former Hurricane, have been deluged with ticket requests for Sunday's Dolphins-Vikings game at Sun Life Stadium.

Minnesota (6-8) is out of playoff contention, and the Dolphins (7-7) have all but been eliminated. But the game holds plenty of meaning for Ford.

"It's good to go back and play in Miami," he said Wednesday. "Being in Miami, I rooted for the Dolphins while I was there. It'll be good to get back down there and see some old teammates.

"I will say this: I'm looking forward to the sun and the warmer weather.

It'll be a nice change-up."

Ford has secured a reserve tight end job in Minnesota after bouncing among three NFL practice squads. He played two seasons at the University of Miami after two years of junior college in his native Texas.

He made seven starts among 21 games for the Hurricanes and played in the 2011 Sun Bowl. However, the Hurricanes struggled, compiling a 13-12 record during Ford's stay, which included the firing of coach Randy Shannon.

"It was a good experience," he said. "I just wish we would have come out with more wins and did better for Shan while we were there. It was fun while I was there, though, I will say that."

Rhodes went to Miami's Norland High School and was a star running back and wide receiver before playing at Florida State.

"Ticket requests? Too many," he said. "Everybody can't get one. I can give you a crazy number, but I'm not going to give them that many."

Rhodes thrived Sunday in his one-on-one matchup against Detroit's uber-physical receiver Calvin Johnson, who had only four receptions for 53 yards.

Now comes speedy Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace, who is 70 receiving yards shy of 1,000 in his debut season at Miami. His 73 catches are the third-most by any first-year Dolphin.

"You've just got to stay in front of him the whole time," Rhodes said. "You can't let him get on top of you. He's a guy that can blow the top off a defense. Just keep him close to you."

Close like Calvin?

"That I really don't know," said Rhodes, revealing nothing. "Coaches ain't said nothing to me about that."


(twincities.com)